6 Onsen in Nara worth your time

A traditional hot spring town in Nara serving as a gateway for mountain practitioners with historic wooden inns and limestone caves.

What it is

• A hot spring town situated along the Sanjo River in Tenkawa Village.
• A gateway for practitioners climbing the sacred Mount Omine.
• A village traditionally linked to the descendants of the disciple Goki.
• A collection of over twenty traditional wooden inns and guesthouses.

What to see

• The Menfudo and Goyomatsu limestone caves designated as natural monuments.
• The Dorogawa Springs listed among Japan's 100 Remarkable Waters.
• A new visitor center that opened in April 2024.
• Mild alkaline simple thermal spring water used in local baths.

When to go

• August 2nd and 3rd for the annual Gyoja Matsuri festival.
• Autumn months to view the changing foliage in the valley.
• Summer months when the area serves as a cool mountain retreat.

Getting there

• Buses run directly from Shimoichiguchi Station to the hot spring area.

Official site

www.dorogawaonsen.jp

Read more about Dorogawa Onsen

A remote hot spring in Nara known for its mineral-rich golden water and massive natural travertine deposits inside the baths.

What it is

• A hot spring facility featuring water rich in sodium hydrogen carbonate and chloride.
• Legend says the original spring was discovered by the mystic En no Gyoja.
• The current source was established in 1977 after the original site was submerged by a dam.
• The spring yields five hundred liters of water per minute at thirty-nine degrees Celsius.

What to see

• Bathtubs heavily encrusted with thick calcareous deposits from the mineral water.
• Spring water that transforms from transparent to a golden hue over time.
• Significant travertine formations created by the high mineral content of the spring.
• A traditional ryokan setting located within the mountains of Kawakami Village.

Getting there

• The site is accessible by taking a bus from Yamato-Kamiichi Station.

Read more about Shionoha Onsen

A historic iron-rich hot spring in Nara where Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a famous cherry blossom viewing party in 1594.

What it is

• A hot spring area in Nara Prefecture used for approximately 300 years.
• The spring water contains iron carbonate and hydrogen carbonate for treating anemia.
• The site hosted writer Shimazaki Toson and leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
• Accommodations include traditional inns, guesthouses, and temple lodgings.

What to see

• The Taiko Hanami-zuka mound marking Hideyoshi's 1594 visit.
• The hot spring source located near Kishuin in Mount Yoshino.
• Extensive cherry blossom trees that are famous throughout Japan.

When to go

• Spring is the peak season for the famous cherry blossoms.

Getting there

• The nearest train station is Kintetsu Yoshino Station.

Read more about Yoshino Onsen

A secluded sulfur hot spring in Nara known for its pure, drinkable water and riverside open-air baths.

What it is

• A hot spring facility in Totsukawa Village belonging to the Japan Association of Secluded Hot Springs.
• The spring was discovered during the Kyoho era and designated a National Health Resort in 1985.
• The village declared the use of 100 percent free-flowing spring water in 2004.
• The water contains sulfur, sodium, and hydrogen carbonate with a source temperature of 76 degrees Celsius.

What to see

• The Kawara no Yu open-air bath which reopened for visitors in 2017.
• Colorless and transparent spring water that is safe for visitors to drink.

Getting there

• Access to the hot spring area is available via Nara Kotsu and village buses.

Read more about Kamiyu Onsen

A historic hot spring village in Nara known for its high-volume, 100 percent free-flowing medicinal waters and scenic dam views.

What it is

• A hot spring resort in Nara Prefecture discovered between 1688 and 1704.
• Designated as a National Health Resort and listed among Japan's Top 100 Hot Springs.
• The village uses 100 percent free-flowing spring water without recycling or additives.
• Originally known as Shimoyu, the spring produces 867 liters of water per minute.

What to see

• Six traditional inns and two guesthouses located near the Futuno Dam.
• Natural spring water containing sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride at 58 degrees Celsius.

Getting there

• Buses run to the village from Yamato-Yagi, Gojo, and Shingu Stations.

Read more about Totsukawa Onsen

A sodium bicarbonate hot spring facility along the Kitayama River offering day-trip bathing and lodging in Nara Prefecture.

What it is

• A day-trip bathing facility and lodging located along the Kitayama River.
• The hot spring source was first established by boring in 1987.
• The facility features a sodium bicarbonate spring with a heating and filtration circulation system.
• The current Forest Kamikitayama lodging opened on June 1, 2020.

What to see

• The hot spring facility situated inside the Forest Kamikitayama building.
• Views of the surrounding Kitayama River from the bathing site.

Getting there

• Accessible by car from Yamato-Kamiichi Station.
• Located along National Route 169 heading toward Kumano.

Read more about Kamikitayama Onsen